McCARTY, John Wesley, Beeville Bee or Picayune, 21 Mar 1913:
Blow From Baseball Bat Causes Death, John McCarty, 15 Years Old Succumbs Tuesday From
Concussion of the Brain. Received the Blow That Ultimately Caused Death Monday Afternoon
While Playing Ball At School.
John Wesley McCarty, fifteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. S. C. McCarty, died Tuesday
(March 18, 1913) morning at 11 o'clock from concussion of the brain. His death was the result
of a blow received from a base ball bat on the left side of his head.
Young McCarty was engaged in playing a game of base ball on the grammar school grounds
Monday afternoon when the accident that caused his death befell him.
He was catching behind the bat, a runner was on third base and a playmate, Albert Praeger, made
an effort to step back, swinging his bad unintentually as he did so striking McCarthy on the left side
of the head just above the ear. As he received the blow the bell rang which summoned the boys to
their studies. John told his companions his head was hurt and he thought he would remain out in
the fresh air a while. He remained out until school was dismissed and then went home.
At home he complained of the pain in his head, but insisted it was not serious. He went to bed and
slept his usual sound sleep. He got up next morning and ate a hearty breakfast. His head was still
hurting him and over his protests his mother summoned a doctor. He was in great pain but apparently
in immediate danger. At 11 o'clock the doctor was summoned hurriedly and he found little John
unconscious and breathing his last breath. Death was brought about by concussion of the brain.
The blow from the bat never left a mark of any kind, not even a bruised spot on the scalp.
Little John was a manly fellow, being of robust build, characteristic of the ideal American boy and was
exceedingly fond of base ball. In season he spent his spare moments when not studying with
companions tossing and batting the ball. He had developed unusual talent for a youth of his age and
had distinguished himself among his schoolmates as a coming hero of the base ball diamond. What
more could the normal American youth ask you? His little heart bubbled with joy as each day he
inmproved his playing and like all other boys he dreamed of the future when he would grow to young
manhood and play on the college team. As fond of base ball as he was he never let the fame interfere
with his studies, always cherishing an ambition to grow up to be the pride of his mother and father. It
was appropriate that he should have such an ambition for he had seen his brothers grow up to become
good men and assume responsibilities as men of affairs.
Little John's place can not be filled in the hearts of the grief-stricken mother and father. He was the baby
of a family of boys who have grown to manhood and eventually left home to make their own ways. He
was a comfort to the hearts of his idolizing mother and father in their home life. His little loving caresses
that were always bestowed on them when he returned from his day's studies will be missed greater and
greater as time marks the day he was taken from them.
His remains were followed to their last resting place Wednesday afternoon by a multitude of sorrowing
school children and sympathetic friends of the family His little grave was covered with sweet flowers, the
fragrance of which was balm to the pang piercing hearts of mother, father and brothers.
He was born February 14, 1898 and is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Beeville, Texas.